Comments Off on Seattle’s new Angle Lake Transit Station looks like a long-exposure photo of a dancer in motion

Architecture firm Brooks + Scarpa just completed construction on the new Angle Lake Transit Station and Plaza at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The building’s design was inspired by dance, and the architects wrapped the structure an undulating transparent envelope that mimics the motion of the human body. The team drew inspiration from an improvisational dance piece by famous contemporary dance choreographer William Forsythe. In it, dancers connect their bodies by matching lines in space that could be bent, tossed or otherwise distorted. Thanks to the use of ruled surface geometry and straight aluminum elements, the architects were able to achieve complex curved forms that look like a long-exposure portrait of a dancer. Related: Brooks + Scarpa completes forest-like kinetic sculpture ringed with rain gardens The seven-acre 400,000 square foot mixed-use complex features a seven-story cast-in-place and post-tensioned concrete structure. Its exterior façade is composed of over 7,500 custom-formed blue anodized aluminum panels. Brooks + Scarpa segmented each element into standardized sizes for the most efficient structural shape and material form, while maximizing production, fabrication and installation cost efficiency. This made it possible to install the façade on-site in less than three weeks without the use of cranes or special equipment. + Brooks + Scarpa Lead photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Comments Off on Corals at Keppel Bay combine the best of luxury and sustainability

The project features buildings clad in glazed, white aluminum and glass panels , which create a rhythm accentuated by ribbons of balconies. It comprises 366 apartments that range from one-to-four bedrooms and penthouses, with sizes ranging from 538 square feet to 8,503 square feet. The residents will have exclusive access to Marina at Keppel Bay on Keppel Island which includes a clubhouse with members’ lounge, fine dining establishments and yacht charter services. Related: Daniel Libeskind’s ambitious design for The Kurdistan Museum in Iraq To help foster biodiversity, harvested “donor” coral fragments are grown in a nursery, after which they are transplanted to King’s Dock, near the residences. To further sustainability, reflecting pools run the length of each building. These pools serve to help cool the residences. The site also features a green roof, rainwater collection and solar panels. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFwTiG9_XOI “Just like a coral reef , the composition of each cluster of buildings is unique—the common thread is spectacular bay views and expansive balconies throughout,” said Daniel Libeskind. “I sought to imbue the entire site with openness and greenery—the true core of this project is sustainable living,” he added. + Studio Libeskind

Comments Off on A beautiful perforated facade filters natural light into this office building in Rio de Janeiro

The open-plan floors of the building are supported by concrete waffle slabs, peripheral columns and load-bearing walls. All the installations and structural elements are distributed along the perimeter of the building. Related: Tivoli Eco Residences Leave a Light Footprint on the Coast of Northern Brazil The facade of the building comprises three different layers-a lattice of perforated aluminium, a green buffer and soundproof windows. It semi-transparent quality allows natural light into the interior and is aided by a large skylight . The library is separated by glass partitions that filter in daylight. + Bernardes Arquitetura Via Archdaily Photos by Leonardo Finotti

Comments Off on Legendary lost ‘City of the Monkey God’ discovered buried in the Honduran rainforest

Legendary lost cities are the stuff of children’s stories and Disney movies, but once in a while, they’re part of real life too. One of these ancient rumored cities has been discovered in the rainforest of Honduras. Known as the “City of the Monkey God,” archaeologists have been working for years to track down the abandoned city’s resting place, and they’ve finally done it. Read the rest of Legendary lost ‘City of the Monkey God’ discovered buried in the Honduran rainforest Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: ancient central american civilizations , ancient central american cultures , ancient lost city , archaeological discoveries in honduras , city of the monkey god , honduran rainforest , Honduras , white city